Latest News — Page 93

Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), a subsidiary of PureHealth, has been named a centre of excellence in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. The centre provides specialised and distinguished programmes with a high level of expertise and multidisciplinary resources, allowing it to conduct advanced medical procedures in specific clinical areas and conducting complex researches to provide the highest levels of care. The centre will provide an integrated and specialised range of surgical and […]

DARWIN EU®, a network for data analysis and real-world interrogation, has successfully completed its first year of operation. The network has onboarded ten data partners and initiated four studies using real-world data from across Europe to better understand diseases, populations, and the uses and effects of medicines. DARWIN EU® generates real-world evidence to support the decision-making of EMA scientific committees and national competent authorities in EU Member States throughout regulatory processes. The network plans to onboard ten additional data partners […]

The World Health Organization expressed concern about the disruption of essential health services for chronic disease management due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A study done in Indonesia’s Malang district, showed concerns regarding restrictions on movement and access to health services for patients with chronic conditions, such as those at high risk for cardiovascular disease. However, fears about disruptions to the supply of essential medicines were largely unfounded, as primary health centers and private suppliers had supplies of all cardiovascular medicines […]

The study examines the impact of import verification fees on local pharmaceutical production in Uganda. The findings suggest that the policy has been effective in promoting local production, with an 8.2% increase in production capacity observed. The study also highlights the challenges faced by the local industry, including limited access to raw materials, high operating costs, and inadequate quality control equipment. The authors recommend that the government provide necessary support to the local industry, including policies to protect local manufacturers […]

A health technology assessment (HTA) of treatment regimens for patients with multiple myeloma in Norway was done. The goals of treatment are to prolong life, achieve a strong response without side effects, and maintain quality of life. The article discusses the uncertainty surrounding the results of a health economic analysis of treatment regimens for multiple myeloma. The uncertainty is due to reliance on component network meta-analysis and lack of access to patient level data. The methods used to derive underlying […]

Cannabidiol has been licensed as an add-on treatment for seizures caused by tuberous sclerosis complex for patients aged 2 years and over. Clinical trial evidence shows that it reduces seizure frequency and increases seizure-free days compared to a placebo. While the cost-effectiveness estimates are uncertain, the benefits of reducing the severity of seizures and lowering the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy make it an appropriate use of NHS resources. Therefore, it is recommended as a treatment option by […]

ICER has released a White Paper on Health Equity. This paper measures the impact of health technology assessment (HTA) on equity, and suggests approaches to leverage HTA to advance health equity for racial, ethnic, and socially disadvantaged groups. When decision-makers evaluate data to inform pricing and insurance coverage, they must consider the implications for health equity. They have taken a close look at every step of our work to assess if we and other HTA groups can make improvements and […]

NICE guidelines have added the guidance on mobocertinib to the systemic anti-cancer therapy treatment pathways for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. They would like your feedback on how the treatment pathways present content from different sources (NICE technology appraisal guidance, guideline recommendations, and expert input). To comment, go to the link below on systemic anti-cancer therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and fill in the pop-up survey.

As healthcare costs continue to rise, accurate cost-effectiveness estimates are crucial. However, estimating the costs and outcomes of different interventions is complicated by uncertainty. In model-based health economic evaluations (HEEs), uncertainty can arise from limited data, methodological limitations, and variability in clinical outcomes. A recent review identified 80 methods for identifying, analyzing, and communicating uncertainty in HEEs. Quantifying uncertainty wherever possible is crucial to ensure accurate and unbiased cost-effectiveness estimates, ultimately leading to optimal allocation of healthcare resources

A study on medicine shortages in the Netherlands found that disease and costs were the two most affected elements, with 30% and 20% of shortages rated high on these elements, respectively. The study used a framework of economic, clinical, and patient outcomes to assess the impact of medicine shortages on patients. Direct impact, represented by alternative product and disease, was rated high for 30% of the shortages, while indirect impact, represented by costs, susceptibility, and number of patients, was rated […]

Congratulations on the launch of the Gulf Health Economics Association! Their extraordinary initiative to bring together Health Economics experts in the Gulf Region under one entity is truly inspiring. Wishing you continued success in your future endeavors.

In surveys of ISPOR members, drug pricing was revealed to be a major concern, and one of the top 10 health economics and outcomes research issues influencing the availability of innovative treatments and healthcare decisions. Despite the fascinating ways that different research studies proposed to understand the puzzle of drug pricing, it is evident that drug prices must factor in the research uncertainties and other costs in addition to the cost of clinical trials and production and should be set […]

ISPOR HEOR held a Theater focusing on discussions from the ISPOR HTA Roundtable – Middle East and Africa. Presentations were provided by the World Health Organization, Rwanda School of Public Health, Ministry of Health of Tanzania, and Unified Procurement Authority of Egypt.

Globally, WhatsApp Messenger has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing MIM applications. It has particularly high penetration rates in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil and South Africa. The sub-Saharan African region is characterized by mixed migration flows and multiple health challenges, due to the inequalities experienced in access to healthcare disproportionately affect many groups including migrants and mobile populations. Given the existing structural factors impeding access to healthcare, coupled with high rates of mobile telephone use across the sub-Saharan African […]

Over the last year, we’ve made great progress towards this goal. In June 2022, NICE published our real-world evidence framework. The EMA and the European Medicines Regulatory Network recently established the Data Analysis and Real World Interrogation Network (DARWIN EU®). Using the OMOP CDM, DARWIN EU® delivers real-world evidence from across Europe on diseases, populations and the use and performance of medicines. This enables EMA and other organisations in the European medicines regulatory network to use this data whenever needed […]

After seven years of estrangement, the two countries finally decided this week to repair ties and reopen embassies. The two countries, and the rest of the Middle Eastern area, might reap significant benefits from this arrangement. The Chinese government acted as a mediator between Iran and Saudi Arabia this week, and the two countries agreed to reopen embassies and resume diplomatic relations seven years after they were closed. With the restoration of diplomatic ties, there is hope that the two […]